Drinks – Page 8 – Keep It Overproof!

Diageo launches final Game of Thrones single malt whisky

Diageo has released the last whisky in its series of spirits inspired by HBO series Game of Thrones. Hoping to cash in on its lucrative partnership with HBO once more, Diageo is rolling out a limited number of Mortlach Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 15 Years, called Six Kingdoms, in select retailers and Amazon in time for Christmas. The whisky, which was produced as part of Diageo’s ongoing partnership with HBO, pays tribute to the fate of the fictional nation of Westeros, whose long-held Seven Kingdoms ultimately became six at the end of the show’s climactic battle for the Iron Throne....

Trump tariffs could push EU wine prices up 15%

The new tariffs introduced on EU goods by the US could push up prices for French and Spanish wine by 15%, according to the latest Rabobank report. It follows the introduction last month of a 25% ad valorem tariff on still wine under 14.1% ABV that had been made in France, Germany, Spain and the UK, transported in containers of 2 litres or less, as part of the continuing dispute over unfair funding for EU civil aviation company Airbus at the expense of its US rival, Boeing. Sparkling wine, higher alcohol, fortified wines, and wines sent in bulk, as well as wines from Italy were not included...

Campari offloads Villa Les Cèdres

Italian drinks group Campari has completed the sale of historic mansion Villa Les Cèdres in St-Jean Cap Ferrat for €200 million, making it on of the most expensive properties ever sold. First announced on 1 August, the sale of the luxury property was completed today (31 October) in a sale worth €200m of which Campari will retain €80m. The house and its botanical gardens were once the property of King Leopold II of Belgium and was acquired by Campari when it bought Société des Produits Marnier-Lapostolle – the makers of Grand Marnier – in 2016. Fifty-two million six-hundred and ninety thousand...

The Coop steps up ambition for key Christmas/New Year week

The Coop is stepping up its ambition for the key week between Christmas and New Year, with a more targeted range that better suits consumers as well as better logistics to support its estate. Speaking to the drinks business recently, BWS boss Simon Cairns said the convenience store had “bigger ambitions” for Christmas this year than it had previously had, with the roll out of a ‘winter-specific’ range and better logistics. “It’s about a relevant level of features and promotions for a range of wines. What we don’t want to do is target one specific consumers, but offer a breadth...

db’s second pressings

db‘s round up of drinks headlines that should be on your radar. In the Guardian, Zoe Williams has taken a deep dive into the hard seltzer category, and asks why alcopops are being sold to us as health drinks… Campaign Live has covered a spooky stunt from Bacardi involving a haunted bottle of rum. Rare whiskey continued to outperform other luxury asset classes during the 12 months leading up to June, according to a report from Knight Frank, from Barrons. In the Evening Standard, Joanna Bourke reports that Irish drinks company C&C group is performing well in a challenging drinks...

Drinks company spends £1m on alcohol-free distilling plant at Robinson’s brewery

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

A company in Manchester has spent £1 million building a de-alcoholisation kit to improve the quality of its 0% ABV beer and cider. Richard Clark, MD of Drynks Unlimited Drynks Unlimited, which makes 0.05% ABV beers and ciders, has completed a £1 million investment in a cool vacuum distillation (CVD) kit. The group says will help to improve the quality of its alcohol-free brews and make them taste “as good as full-strength beers and ciders.” There are currently only 20 CVD kits in operation around the world. Drynks Unlimited said this is the first distillation kit of its kind to...

Majestic ‘getting back to what we do best’, new boss claims

Majestic is bringing back classic wines and “getting back to what we do well”, its new boss, John Colley, told the drinks business as it unveiled its newly revamped range this week. John Colley has rejoined Majestic as executive chairman following the company’s acquisition by Fortress Investment Group Speaking to db at this week’s tasting, newly ensconced executive chairman Colley, who was managing director of the UK retailer between 2015 and 2017 under its previous owner, said the new range contained some household favourites that had for one reason or another, been taken out...

Rémy Cointreau H1 ‘slightly below expectations’

Posted in Spirits.

French drinks group Rémy Cointreau saw its sales dip 0.6% to €523.9 million (US$585m) for the first half of its fiscal year due to the termination of distribution deals for a number of partner brands. In the six-month period between April and September 2019, the House of Rémy Martin saw its sales increase 5.6% to €379.6m (US$423.9m). The group said its Cognac was affected by a drop in tourism in Hong Kong and “slower than anticipated stock replenishment” from US retailers. Rémy Cointreau added that the “performance masks continued steady demand” for its Cognacs and an “excellent” mid-Autumn...

Selfridges unveils smart tech robot cocktail maker

Upmarket London department store Selfridges has unveiled its new bartender – a smart tech robot called Toni, which it claims is the world’s first automated cocktail-maker, in collaboration with Bacardi. The retailer says the new bartender from Italian smart tech company Makr Shakr is set to liven up the shopping experience for retailers at its flagship store on London’s Oxford Street, by allowing users to experience smart technology while shopping. It is part of a collaboration with drinks company, Bacardi. The sleek robotic Makr Shakr comprises two mechanical arms that can...

Bolney’s winery gets royal opening after ‘very good’ harvest

Sussex-based Bolney’s new winery has received the royal seal of approval after a visit from the Duchess of Cornwall, as managing director Sam Linter reflects on a “very good year” despite the wet weather during harvest. Bolney MD Sam Linter (left) and the Duchess of Cornwall (right) HRH The Duchess of Cornwall travelled to Bolney this week to officially open the vineyard’s new state-of-the-art winery, which was unveiled in September. The expanded winery will allow Bolney to increase its production capacity by 170%, producing 300,000 bottles of still and sparkling wines...

Tag: Drinks